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|caliber=[[7.62×39mm]]<br>[[5.45×39mm]] |
|caliber=[[7.62×39mm]]<br>[[5.45×39mm]] |
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|magazine=30-round AK-74 detachable box magazine |
|magazine=30-round AK-74 detachable box magazine |
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| − | }}The '''AL-2''' ( |
+ | }}The '''AL-2''' (Cyrillic: АЛ-2) was a Soviet prototype [[bullpup]] [[assault rifle]], designed by engineers at [[IZhMASh]]. |
== History == |
== History == |
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| − | A competition hosted by the Ministry of Defense for the Soviet Union occurred in 1973. The object was aimed at creating a small assault rifle, of which intent would be issued to vehicle crews, tank crews, and possibly airborne units. The two firearm designers |
+ | A competition hosted by the Ministry of Defense for the Soviet Union occurred in 1973. The object was aimed at creating a small assault rifle, of which intent would be issued to vehicle crews, tank crews, and possibly airborne units. The two firearm designers Yury Aleksandrov, and R.S. Povarenkin at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant would prototype a [[bullpup]], compact assault rifle chambered in [[5.45×39mm]]. Originally, the firearm was intended to be designed for the more common at the time [[7.62×39mm]] round, which was also in service during the late 1960's. The firearm would never make it pass any prototyping stages, and would be doomed to obscurity as a remnant of past Soviet firearm concepts. The AL-2 was also seen as a way to test and analyze various differences such as strengths and weaknesses within a firearm concept. |
== Design Details == |
== Design Details == |
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Latest revision as of 01:37, 16 June 2021
The AL-2 (Cyrillic: АЛ-2) was a Soviet prototype bullpup assault rifle, designed by engineers at IZhMASh.
History[]
A competition hosted by the Ministry of Defense for the Soviet Union occurred in 1973. The object was aimed at creating a small assault rifle, of which intent would be issued to vehicle crews, tank crews, and possibly airborne units. The two firearm designers Yury Aleksandrov, and R.S. Povarenkin at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant would prototype a bullpup, compact assault rifle chambered in 5.45×39mm. Originally, the firearm was intended to be designed for the more common at the time 7.62×39mm round, which was also in service during the late 1960's. The firearm would never make it pass any prototyping stages, and would be doomed to obscurity as a remnant of past Soviet firearm concepts. The AL-2 was also seen as a way to test and analyze various differences such as strengths and weaknesses within a firearm concept.
Design Details[]
The AL-2 features a bullpup schematic similar to Gennaldy Nikonov's NA-2 firearm concept and design, expect the AL-2 does not feature any advanced recoil-delay systems. The body and receiver of the weapon are made entirely from stamped steel, with parts such as the pistol grip being constructed from Bakelite. Original magazines would have been chambered in 7.62×39mm, and taken from the AKM. However, it was insisted that the weapon should be fed from the newer, smaller caliber 5.45×39mm round. The wooden, triangular handguard also serves as a heatshield, and is vented towards the top, resembling early M16 rifle handguards. Internal parts such as ones related to the trigger are also constructed fully from stamped sheet metal, which internally made the firearm lighter, which was a goal of the design. The return spring was emplaced on the right-side of the bolt, which in-turn reduced the overall height of the receiver. A select-fire lever is present, and the firearm seems to be capable of at least boasting safe and fully-automatic fire modes. The front sight and muzzle are also integrated into one piece, and the muzzle is aligned with adorning cooling holes. Iron sights on the AL-2 are those of which are synonymous with Kalashnikov rifles, and are very simplistic.
Ammunition[]
The weapon was originally chambered for 7.62×39mm, and accepted magazines compatible with the AKM assault rifle. However, as development continued on the weapon well into the mid 1970's, the demand for a smaller caliber assault rifle became more present. Due to this, the AL-2 would be converted into accepting AK-74 compatible magazines, chambered in 5.45×39mm.